August 7, 2006
By Allan Abrams

The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah could devolve into a much larger regional or world war, and the already high costs from destruction and economic ruin, and more important, lost lives, could be magnified many times over.

I’ve read many well-reasoned articles against a cease-fire, concluding Hezbollah must be rendered powerless. But as logical and sensible as this conclusion is, I’m not so certain I agree.

Though it defies common sense that targeting the lives of innocent Lebanese civilians is an Israeli objective, the fact is that 90 percent of this conflict’s fatalities are Lebanese civilians, mostly children. Those who already dislike Israel have reaped a propaganda bonanza by this sad fact.

Hezbollah is seen as victorious in Arab eyes, no matter what the ultimate outcome might be.

This becomes a recruitment bonanza for fanatics to enlist impressionable youth and, until now, moderates to their cause.

To much of the world, Israel is perceived as the barbaric wrongdoer. In the words of a Qana, Lebanon, mother after an Israeli air strike there last weekend killed many children and women, “Don’t they know that the more they bomb us, the more connected we become to the resistance?”

Her understandable anger would not be lessened even if she were convinced the bombing was accidental.

Finally, we learned from experience that 18 years of Israeli occupation of the “Security Zone” in southern Lebanon demonstrated that Hezbollah cannot be effectively subdued militarily, and efforts to do so inevitably cause incredible devastation to the Lebanese people.

There are problems with a cease-fire — who, for example, would enforce it? The United Nations? NATO? With what, if any, limitations on their authority? Will both protagonists agree? When can a “sustainable” cease-fire be in place? And, most important, can it be the precursor to real peace in the region?

These problems are now being addressed by the world’s governments. Washington coming off the diplomatic sidelines can help Israel’s security, America’s international image and pro-Western Arab governments.

The bottom line is that world public opinion will not permit the terrible status quo to continue.

Allan Abrams is a semi-retired attorney, investment counselor and dispute resolution arbitrator/mediator. He is a member of the national board of directors of Brit Tzedek v’Shalom and the Jewish Alliance of Justice and Peace. He lives in Prairie Village.